Assam: 19-year-old dies after hospital referral, kin alleges negligence

Dispur: In a shocking incident, a 19-year-old lost his life following alleged medical negligence and malpractice involving a network of brokers and a private hospital in Dispur, raising serious concerns over unethical practices in patient referrals.

As per the news reports, the deceased had suffered an accident nearly two months ago and was initially admitted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). Doctors at GMCH reportedly diagnosed him with a serious head injury and advised that he be referred to Patna, Bihar, for advanced treatment. According to the family, the estimated cost for treatment in Patna was around Rs 45,000.

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The patient was admitted to the private hospital on December 6. As his condition deteriorated, he was placed on ventilator support. Despite this, the hospital authorities allegedly continued to inform the family that his condition was stable.

According to the mother, the hospital repeatedly collected amounts ranging from Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 over the past 11 days in the name of medicines and medical tests. She claimed that despite these payments, her son’s condition did not improve. On December 17, the hospital reportedly informed her that her son had died, reports India Today NE.

She further claimed that when she approached the Dispur Police, accusing the hospital of cheating and exploitation, she did not receive any assistance. She is now demanding a thorough investigation into what she alleges is a nexus between brokers and private hospitals.

Speaking to the Pratidin Time, the Cosmo Medical Hospital, in response to the allegations, claimed that Rishi was in a critical condition at the time of admission and that the family was allegedly informed about the severity of his health. They added that the patient’s guardians were not taken to a higher-level hospital for advanced treatment because they were unable to pay the fees. During the 11-day treatment period at the hospital, the total bill amounted to Rs 2,34,650. The hospital stated that the patient’s family had paid only Rs 20,000.

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The mother, however, maintained that it was precisely due to the technician’s involvement and the hospital’s actions that she lost her son.